[Epidemiologic studies of the effect of alcohol and drugs on psychophysical performance]

In this new epidemiological investigation, it is first of all observed that the proportion of chemical toxicological investigations instituted by the police in the area served by the Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Tübingen, has not risen despite increases in the use or abuse of drugs and alcohol consumption although 80 per cent of those concerned are car and motorcycle drivers. On the other hand, is has been noticed in recent years that such investigations are instituted especially when the level of blood alcohol measured does not explain the actual condition of the person concerned. Just under 20 per cent of the affected persons denied consumption of a drug, and more than half admitted the use of a drug. Just under one fifth admitted using two drugs. The remainder used three and four agents. In about half of all cases, the statements were confirmed by the result of the chemical toxicological investigations. In contrast to an investigations of our own, the confirmation of the admissions does not correlate with the rising blood alcohol content. About 63 per cent of the 676 cases investigated had taken analgesics, beta blockers or calcium antagonists, hypnotics or sedatives, gastrointestinal agents and psychoactive agents. The percentage of active agents from the benzodiazepine group, which is subject to the Narcotics Law, is especially great. Finally, the blood and urinary levels of benzodiazepines and individual psychoactive agents measured as well as the pertinent blood and urinary alcohol values were compared with the constellations described in the medical examination and the divergences from the data obtained experimentally are discussed.